SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

The Analects

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.14

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    Ana

    Ran You returned late from court. The Master asked, “Why so late?” He replied, “There was government business.” The Master corrected him, “That was merely administrative affairs. If there were truly matters of state policy, even if I were not employed, I would surely have heard about them.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.13

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    Ana

    The Master said, “If one can first rectify his own conduct, what difficulty could there be in governing? If he cannot rectify himself, how can he rectify others?”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.12

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    Ana

    The Master said, “If a true king were to arise, it would still take a generation—about thirty years—before benevolent rule could be fully realized.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.11

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    Ana

    The Master said, “If a good person governs a state for a hundred years, he can overcome cruelty and abolish capital punishment. Truly, this saying is correct!”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.10

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    Ana

    The Master said, “If someone were to employ me, I could show results within a year, and achieve real success within three years.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.9

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    Ana

    Confucius was traveling to the state of Wei, with his disciple Ran You driving his carriage. Seeing how populous Wei was, Confucius remarked, “So many people!” Ran You asked, “Now that there are so many people, what should be done next?” Confucius replied, “Make them prosperous.” Ran You then asked, “Once they are prosperous,…

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.8

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    Ana

    The Master spoke of Gongzi Jing of Wei, saying, “He was good at managing his household. When he first had a little, he said, ‘It’s sufficient enough.’ When he had a bit more, he said, ‘It’s complete enough.’ When he became wealthy, he said, ‘It’s beautiful enough.’”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.7

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    Ana

    The Master said, “The governance of Lu and Wei is like that of brothers.”

  • The Analects – Chapter 13.6

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    Ana

    The Master said, “When a leader’s conduct is upright, people will follow even without orders; when his conduct is not upright, they will not obey even if he issues commands.”